Research Says
Welcome to Furniture/Today’s Research blog. Each week we\'ll take a look at interesting research data related to the home furnishings industry. Our focus for the week may come from research we have conducted ourselves or it might be something we’ve come across and just want to share. We hope you’ll use this space too, to share your thoughts or to weigh in with what you think about the topic under discussion. Three members of Furniture/Today’s Research team, Research Manager Dana French and Research Specialists Judi Fulbright and Daphne Garland-McLean, will be sharing this forum, each bringing our own unique perspective. We look forward to hearing from you!
Will Contemporary continue to dominate case goods styles?
That’s just what we will find out as Furniture/Today conducts its biennial survey of case goods retailers. Why is documenting case goods styles and price points at retail so important? Case goods as a product category makes up the biggest single share of both a retailer’s annual sales and his selling space, 41% and 47% respectively, as detailed in the latest Furniture/Today ...... Read More
Comments (7)Moving Forward
This is still a down economy, however, CEOs are emerging from recession mode and are making preparations for recovery according to the most recent CEO Challenge Survey. Some of the main issues/challenges that CEOs are focusing on this year are: Customer loyalty/retention Reputation for quality products/services Innovation/creativity Sustained and steady top-line growth Linda Barrington, Managing D ...... Read More
Comments (0)By the numbers: Generation X
Born between 1965 and 1975 Between the ages of 35 and 45 in 2010 Total 44 million Account for 20% of the adult population 57% plan to buy new furniture this year 52% of Gen Xers redecorating in 2010 are replacing worn furniture; 38% are changing styles; 37% are redecorating as part of a home improvement project 93% say a retailer’s product selection is important when choosing where to shop ...... Read More
Comments (0)By the numbers: Baby Boomers
Born between 1946 and 1964 Between the ages of 46 and 64 in 2010 Total 77 million Account for 33% of the adult population 52% plan to buy new furniture this year 54% of Boomers redecorating in 2010 are replacing worn furniture; 39% are changing styles; 33% are redecorating as part of a home improvement project 94% say a retailer’s product selection is important when choosing where to shop f ...... Read More
Comments (2)Know your market
As we approach the middle of the first quarter of 2010, you might wonder what’s on the horizon for your business and how you’ll succeed in the current economic environment. Well, there’s no magic equation that will apply to all. Though, it would be nice, wouldn’t it? The truth is that everything is in a state a flux all the time. Even when we don’t think things a ...... Read More
Comments (0)Mattresses + sleep accessories = add-on sales opportunities
More than one-fifth of consumers plan to buy a mattress this year, according to Furniture/Today and HGTV’s The 2010 Consumer Survey. And, data from an exclusive HGTV bedding survey shows that many mattress buyers will purchase much more - sleep accessories - when they buy their new bed. According to the data, six out of ten consumers buy a mattress pad at the same time they buy a new mattre ...... Read More
Comments (1)Has the recession changed how customers will shop?
A resounding YES. That’s one of the conclusions drawn from a recent study of American consumers, conducted by Decitica this past August. A majority of the surveyed consumers either agreed or strongly agreed the recession has permanently altered their buying behavior. In addition, a majority are already doing something about controlling their spending habits. These consumers also reported ge ...... Read More
Comments (0)Got leather stats?
$7.4 billion - That’s the estimated amount of leather retail sales in 2009. Last year, leather comprised 34% of all upholstery sales at retail and 29% of all upholstery unit sales. These figures include leather-covered stationary sofas, stationary chairs, reclining chairs, swivel and glider rockers, motion sofas, sofa-sleepers and futons. More leather stats: Median best-selling price point ...... Read More
Comments (0)Five-year sales growth projections
Retail sales of furniture and bedding, estimated at $71.9 billion in 2009, is predicted to increase 14.0% by 2014 and reach $82 billion, according to statisticians at Easy Analytic Software, Inc., based in New York.This five-year projected growth is welcomed good news on the heels of 2009, where total consumer spending for furniture and bedding decreased 8.8% from 2008. (The 2009 and 2008 figures ...... Read More
Comments (0)In times of uncertainty and frugality, be ready
Early indicators show consumer confidence is improving. According to Reuters and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment survey, December’s preliminary reading of 73.4 is one of the highest consumer sentiment readings this year though September registered the highest reading of 2009, 73.5. The RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index showed an i ...... Read More
Comments (0)There's no place like home
Has the recession changed the way consumers think about their home?Furniture/Today asked just that question in its exclusive survey, The 2010 Consumer, fielded in partnership with HGTV last September. More than 8,500 U.S. consumers responded to the survey and shared their thoughts on how the recession has affected furniture shopping and buying. Here’s how several responding consumers now th ...... Read More
Comments (3)The quest for quality
Three-fourths of home furnishings shoppers are looking for quality product. That’s one of the key findings from the more than 8,500 U.S. consumers responding to Furniture/Today and HGTV’s exclusive survey, The 2010 Consumer.Here’s what several home furnishings shoppers have to say about quality. “I’m looking for better quality products that will last longer for t ...... Read More
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